Essex County eviction assistance.

Programs available in Essex County can help tenants from becoming homeless. Most of them are focused on stopping evictions with a secondary goal of offering foreclosure counseling to homeowners in Newark.

Any type of financial assistance provided is temporary in nature. The eviction prevention services as well as money for paying rent arrears is provided by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as well as funding raised from charities affiliated with the Continuum of Care or NJ Department of Community Affairs. There are also fund raisers held by the United Way in Essex County as well as other organizations, and all of these different programs are coordinated to stop evictions of families going through a short term crisis.

Another part of the Newark New Jersey homeless prevention services is to help people, especially parents or single moms with children, that are now considered to be homeless. Too many families live with relatives, in an unsafe home, on the streets, or even in a motel. Solutions for preventing an eviction include the Social Service for the Homeless (SSH) program as well as Emergency Solution Grants, which may offer assistance for these individuals, if they are not currently enrolled into TANF.

There are also resources in Essex County that can also gt individuals that are living in a temporary shelter into more permanent housing. This will often require a short term placement into a transitional unit. Rehousing can get them back into affordable housing and ensure they are stabilized.

Each year, agencies across Essex County need to apply for a grant from the federal government. The funds will be provided to the charity based on their proposals. Each agency can decide how to use the money they are awarded as part of this HUD application process.

Some of the common uses of the eviction prevention programs may be to help with security deposits, provide motel or hotel vouchers, or pay for rent or energy bill costs. Some agencies will only focus on non-monetary support, such as counseling, legal mediation with landlords, or credit repairs services.

The qualifications for eviction help will also vary. Each non-profit that is able to issue funds will have their own terms and conditions. However, some of the common criteria may include the following.

The Newark resident need to have a total household income is equal to or less than 50 percent of the Essex County Median Income. This includes all sources, such as from disability, child support, a job, or public benefits.

The person also needs to show proof that they can remain stably housed and pay the rent as well as utilities on their own after the temporary financial help from a government grant is done.

The tenant needs to have an eviction notice from their landlord, or be on the verge of receiving one.

Eviction programs will give priority for households with children, senior citizens, the disabled, victims of domestic violence, veterans, and the ill.

The Essex County New Jersey Department of Children and Families is also a key partner. They will refer clients to these eviction and rehousing programs. That particular organization will tend to help people living in an emergency shelter or who are on welfare. DCF also can refer residents who receive help from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as well as the youth that are in foster care. All of these individuals will also tend to be given priority for rehousing.

Grants for tenants or the homeless in Newark

There are for main uses of the HUD money in Essex County. This will of course be contingent on funding levels and the applicant meeting all conditions in place.

The homeless that need rehousing can apply for security deposit help as well as recurring, short term rental assistance. In some cases, there is also government funding to pay for reasonable moving costs or short-term storage fees for a maximum of three months. The resources that are available include Social Service for the Homeless or other HUD supported programs. Case managers will also help clients locate suitable housing in the county as part of this process.

Essex County families that are threatened with an eviction can get help too. There may be support for those that currently do not receive government aid from SSI - Supplemental Security Income or TANF. Emergency Solutions Grants can be used for paying rent or utility bill arrears for a short period of time.

Eviction prevention services are combined with Case Management from a Continuum of Care partner. Staff from a Newark non-profit organization will work with families on the creation of a service plan that includes motivation, credit repair and more. If and when needed, free legal advice and representation can be arranged for tenants facing eviction.